We are surviving now that my mom has left us. We appreciate all that she did for us and I know that Jaxson loved having her here too. Next week Brad’s mom will be coming to stay for a few days to play with us. It was a pretty uneventful day. All three of us just hung around the house. We did have some visitors. Our friend Lynnette and her little girl Sophia came to play with Jaxson and brought pizza for us. Anyone is welcome in our home if they bring pizza. Lynnette got initiated by Jaxson. He has the tendancy to pee on our visitors; she’s the third guest to get initiated.

Jaxson’s first week has gone so fast! We are having so much fun and have to say that we aren’t all that sleep deprived. It sure has been an adjustment, but everyday has been fun and exciting and we look forward to what Jaxson is going to do next. My mom has been staying with us this week and helping out, which has been wonderful. Jaxson had his first outing on Friday; we took him to Uncle Andy and Aunt Mindy’s garage sale and then shopping for more baby clothes and a baby bathtub. He was wonderful and slept the whole time. Today, Jaxson went to his first restaurant. We took my mom and Brad’s parents to HuHot, one of our favorites. Once again he slept the whole time. I’ll quit typing here and show some very cute pics.

Jaxson Tate Cathcart was born Saturday, August 19th at 9:08 pm; weighing in at 8 lbs and 20 inches long. I must say that he is the most beautiful baby! Brad and I went into the hospital at 7:00 pm on Saturday night and shortly thereafter we had our baby boy (without any time for pain medicine I must say). I guess I probably waited a little too long to go to the hospital. Since Jaxson came so fast, I did have some complications with internal bleeding. I had to go to surgery to fix the bleeding after delivering that night and needed four units of blood. It really sounds a lot worse than what it really was. Brad does admit that he was scared, but I honestly wasn’t because I felt pretty good considering what was going on and I knew that I was in wonderful hands. I was blessed to have one of my very good friends, Natasha, be my delivery nurse. Between her and my midwife at my side, I knew that I was going to be OK. Everything worked out just fine and we were all able to come home today. It is very nice to be home and to start our new life with our little man. Brad and I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers throughout the past several months. You are all so very important to us and our new little boy.

I had my 38 week appt. today and everything went very well. I was able to avoid a lecture from my midwife since I brought my hemoglobin up one whole gram in just two weeks from 9.9 to 10.9, which is very good for you non-medical people, which means that I should now be able to avoid a blood transfusion after delivery. She also pointed out to me that I was having a contraction during my appt and I guess I didn’t even know it. She said that I am probably having so many contractions that I am used to it and don’t even realize it. So I guess that’s a good thing. Everything is going as planned and hopefully I won’t have to go to my 39 week appt. next Wed. Stay tuned for Jaxson news.

This weekend Brad and I stayed quite busy. Brad was a groomsman in the wedding of our good friends, Chad and Jodi. Luckily the wedding and reception were here in Des Moines so I didn’t have to worry too much about going into labor and not being in town. I think the groom was more worried about me going into labor than I was. He had a dream, or nightmare, the night before the wedding that I was sitting in the pew and said during the ceremony, "Uh Brad, it’s time to go." Luckily that didn’t happen. The wedding and reception were very beautiful and we had a wonderful time catching up with friends. I also worked this weekend, which went well. It’s very exciting to know that it was my last weekend to work until I come back from maternity leave. Here’s a picture taken outside the church at the wedding.

Well, 38 weeks came and went on Sunday. Unfortunately I’m still feeling very well; like nothing is going to happen for a while. I am expecting to feel very uncomfortable before it’s time, or at least that’s what everyone tells me I should feel like. Brad and I are getting somewhat anxious and very excited for the little guy to come. We are all ready for him on our end, but evidently he’s not quite ready yet. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe delivery for both of us. Here’s a picture taken tonight. You’ll have to excuse my look. . . it’s the after work look that I have going on.